Saturday’s baseball clinic hosted by the Northview Diamond Club and Milwaukee Brewers’ outfielder Caleb Gindl brought back memories of coming up in baseball for the Cheifs’ head baseball coach Martin Freeman.

The former minor leaguer and Pensacola native said he remembers going to local camps and getting valuable lessons from major leaguers.

“When I walked out onto the field and saw them, I was in awe,” Freeman said.

He said bringing a clinic to the area is important for the youth now, as they grow up in the sport.

“They need this coaching and they’re not getting it anymore,” Freeman said. “They’ve got it out.”

Gindl, who makes his off-season home in his hometown of Molino, said he wanted to give back to the community in which he grew up.

“It feels good to be back home,” he said. “It’s a long season. You leave in February and come back in September and October.

“It feels nice to be back, but in a month or so, I’ll be itching to get back to spring training,” he added.

The camp was designed for kids ages 9 to 17 to help teach fundamentals, like hitting, fielding and pitching. The camp had 40 participants this year.

“The turnout is good for a first year,” Gindl said. “It was more than I was expecting.”

Both Gindl and Freeman said they hope to build on that number in the coming years.

For more on this story, please pick up a copy of Wednesday’s edition of The Atmore Advance.